Propane Safety

On its own, propane is odorless. An odorant is added to make it easy to notice—you’ve probably smelled it before and compared it to rotten eggs. These tips will help you know what to do in the event that you ever smell propane in your home or business:

• Leave the house, building or area where you smell gas IMMEDIATELY and tell anyone who’s there with you to leave as well.
• Extinguish any source of ignition, including lit cigarettes or cigars, or open flames.
• DO NOT use telephones, thermostats or electric switches until you’re away from the area and safe.
• If it’s safe for you to reach the gas shutoff valve that’s on the cylinder or propane tank, turn it off.
• Once you’re away from the area where you smelled gas, immediately contact 911 and then Kerivan Lane at 781-444-0279.
• Even if the smell seems to be gone, do not turn the safety valve back on.
• Please be patient. Give the emergency personnel or technicians time to check for any escaped gas, repair the issue and ensure that it is safe again. This includes giving your technician time to inspect all of your propane appliances and relight pilots.
• Once you have the OK from your service technician or emergency responder, then you may return.

The videos shown below were created by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). They are here to help you learn about the safest ways to handle propane appliances in your home or small business. Click on each one to learn more.